Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12 Review

The new 7.2 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX12 ultra-compact digital camera offers a 3x optical zoom (35-105mm) Leica DC lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, optical image stabiliser and Intelligent ISO Control, plus ISO 1250 at full resolution. Perhaps more interesting is Panasonic’s claim that the latest Lumix models offer better noise performance than the previous generation of cameras. Read my review to find out if the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12 lives up to those claims.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12 Review

Published: Sunday, March 04, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Yet another Lumix disaster.
   
   I have been watching this camera line for well over a year, waiting for the noise problems to be resolved. Guess it will never happen.

   Paul at 01:56pm on Monday, March 05, 2007

2. Thanks for the review. Not sure what the other commenter is on about: The reviewer points out that the noise thing is under control now. All cameras have noise. -Tom Andersen

   Tom Andersen at 05:37pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2007

3. Excellent review. Gives a fair impression whit the pro's and con's and what I wanted to know about the camera. I was very pleased by the unaltered pictures given by this review.

   Rutger at 10:19pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2007

4. Thanks for the review, however didn't see mention of ISO3200 in the specifications that were provided. Is it so?

   Jim at 05:39am on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

5. It only goes up to 3200 in the High Sensitivity scene mode, and the results are pretty terrible!

   Mark Goldstein at 07:50am on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

6. Thanks for a well thought out review. You've helped me make up my mind and your hard work is appreciated!

   Chris Jurkowski at 01:46am on Tuesday, June 19, 2007

7. Although i've been searching for a few days, i haven't seen any other detailed reviews about this camera on the internet so far. I really needed it and this one was very helpful for me to have an opinion. Thanks a lot

   Emel at 03:39pm on Sunday, August 05, 2007

8. Having just purchased this camera based on the review, I'm happy to point out that despite what is said, the sharpness can be altered in the camera. The problem is that for some reason it's part of the colour mode settings.
   
   I first noted that it mentions in the manual that 'Vivid' mode has increased sharpness. So I took a series of photos of various scenes, once in Standard colour mode and once in Vivid colour mode. Vivid mode is much sharper, the images are exactly what I would expect. In a picture of a bookcase, all the writing on the spine of the books is legible in vidid mode but not in sharp mode. The interesting thing is that I can't spot any colour differences when doing a close up comparison.
   
   The Vivid mode images look more 'vivid' when scaled on a computer screen, but this seems to be down to the sharpness and not an increase in colour saturation. At least that is my impression, an expert might see it differently.

   Stuart at 10:41am on Thursday, October 18, 2007

9. This is by far the best review I have seen after hours (and hours!!) of searching on the internet. Thank you so much for the detailed, unbiased review - the pictures were of huge help to me. With the help of this review and others I have decided to proceed with the purchase of this camera, will let you know what I think!!!

   Jill at 10:38pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2007

10. Nice review, but the body is metal not plastic...odd error to make, no?

    Peter Bendheim at 11:36pm on Monday, March 03, 2008

11. I purchased a FX12 camera, and it is lemon as it has broken down twice in less than 2 months for the same manufacturing issue, the first time it broke in less than 4 days from opering the box - see enquiry 39767.
    
    The service I got from Panasonic was less than I have previously received from an apple core .......This includes your patronising, "I don’t care what you say", "this is your problem" complaints boy Charles...... and my favourite if breaks down again we will continue to fix your camera or should I say Lemon. He was very generous though by extending the warranty…. What the……., if the built and or manufactured camera worked in the first place it would not need an extended warranty!!!!. I didn't even get a sorry
    
    I used to believe Panasonic was reputable brand.......by the way I will be leaving a more detailed complaint on every discussion/blog/ review website I can find.
    
    
    ..........Thanks panasonic for wasting all of my time not to mention my family holiday.....

    nathan King at 04:47am on Wednesday, March 05, 2008

12. The FX12 was purchased following me believing it was s good camera and well made.
    Try getting it fixed if it's broken.
    Problem was simply a lack of any video image from the ccd.
    No problem with playback of existing images.
    AVOID like the plague!!

    Andy at 03:36pm on Thursday, March 27, 2008

13. Great camera awsome battery life
    great pics..any defect is user related
    buy it and be happy

    Rich at 03:33am on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

14. ..any defect is user related????? what the..Do you work for Panasonic?..Stay clear of the camera better still stay well clear of Panasonic

    nathan at 05:06am on Wednesday, April 16, 2008